Levi Bellfield was attacked by a fellow prisoner with a makeshift weapon in 2009 at Wakefield Prison

The serial killer who murdered schoolgirl Milly Dowler has been awarded a £4,500 payout after being assaulted in prison.

The Ministry of Justice said it is "hugely disappointed" by the judge's decision.

Levi Bellfield was attacked by a fellow prisoner with a makeshift weapon in 2009 at Wakefield Prison before he went on trial for the murder of 13-year-old Milly.

He is believed to have suffered minor injuries but launched legal action claiming that prison staff should have protected him, the Daily Mirror reported.

Lawyers on behalf of the MoJ fought against his case for three years but they were forced to admit full liability at Durham County Court on Wednesday, the newspaper added.

A Ministry of Justice spokesman said: "We are hugely disappointed that Levi Bellfield was awarded £4,500 by a judge following an assault by a prisoner in 2009 at HMP Wakefield."

Labour MP Ian Austin, a member of the Home Affairs Select Committee, told the Daily Mirror : "This is a complete and utter disgrace. Every right-thinking person will agree this is distasteful and wrong."

Former nightclub bouncer Bellfield is serving a double whole-life term having been convicted of the murder of Walton-on-Thames schoolgirl Milly while already serving a whole-life term for the murders of Amelie Delagrange and Marsha McDonnell and the attempted murder of Kate Sheedy.